Xieng Khouang: Laos
The town of Xieng Khouang was totally destroyed during the Vietnam War. Even though it has been rebuilt in 1975, the name Xieng Khouang is now primarily used in reference to the province of the same name. Its capital city, Phonsavan, still has an eerie “edge of the Earth” feeling even though it’s slowly growing. Electricity is available only between 6pm and 11pm, so bring a flashlight and some candles. It’s the jumping-off point to visit the Plain of Jars, a little-understood group of archaeological sites comprised of enormous stone jars, or drums, half buried in the earth. Scattered over the plain are hundreds of enormous clay jars, each about 1 to 2.5 metres high, with a diameter of about 1 meter. There is still no explanation as to how the clay jars found their way onto the plain, nor what purpose they served. Archaeologists have come up with the wildest theories, among them a claim declaring them brewery cauldrons.
Related Travel Information
Laos
If you're looking for a hassle-free tourist destination, experience Laos in all its majestic beauty. Natural in almost every aspect, Laos is one of Southeast Asia's least developed nations offering the adventurous tourist a land of many surprises.
Laos, also known as the Land of a Million Elephants, is a culturally rich, land-locked country with a population of about 4 million. The Laotians are predominantly Buddhist and are very friendly and hospitable people. The official language is Lao. French and English are also widely spoken. The capital city, Vientiane, skirts the Mekong River, which forms the border between Laos and
Bolikhamxai: Laos
Bolikhamxai (or Borikhane) is a province of Laos, located in the middle of the country.
The province was formed in 1983 from parts of the Vientiane province and Khammouan. In Khamkuet district there is a karst limestone scenery, which is largest in south east Asia.
Bokeo: Laos
The northwestern Lao province of Bokeo is best known for the provincial capital of Huay Xai which forms the launching point into Laos for all arriving from northern Thailand. The three country borders intersection (Thailand, Laos, and Myanmar), known as the "Golden Triangle", is located here. Several groups of people live in the province. One of the popular business is gold panning and digging for precious stones along the rivers. Vegetables farming, cattles raising, trading goods with Thailand, Myanmar and China, as well as some tourism activities are among popular economies for the locals. okeo province has five
Houa Phan: Laos
Laos, Houa Phan - Houa Phan province is situated in the northeast of Laos and was the base of the Lao People's Revolutionary Army activities. There are over 100 caves in the Vieng Xai district of Houa Phanh many of which were used as hideouts and bunkers during the Indochina war. Lao Aviation flies daily to the capital Xam Neua from Vientiane - for flight information, please click here for Lao Aviation's flight schedule.
The most famous caves in the area are:
Tham Than Souphanouvong: formerly known as Tham Phapount. In 1964, Prince Souphanouvong set up his residence
Nakhon phanom
Best known for its panoramic views of the Mekong River and the rugged mountains of Laos, it also has religious heritage centering on the province's Phra That Phanom, the most sacred religious structure in the Northeast. Nakhon Phanom is 740 km from Bangkok, 242 km from Udon Thani and 296 km from Nong Khai. Nakhon Phanom (City of Mountains), although primarily a gateway to Laos and onwards to Vietnam, is also home to one of Isan's (and southern Laos') most important wats, Phra That Phanom in the southern town of That Phanom. The province, literally translated as “city of
